This vanilla cake is soft, tender, and packed with classic flavor. It’s simple enough for a weekday dessert but elegant enough for birthdays or celebrations. With basic ingredients and familiar steps, it’s a recipe you can rely on every time.
What Sets This Cake Apart
This cake:
• Rises beautifully
• Has a delicate crumb
• Pairs with almost any frosting
• Works in layers or as a simple single cake
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup milk
• 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
Baking Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
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Cream the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
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Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla extract.
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In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in parts, alternating with milk. Start and end with flour. Mix gently.
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Divide batter between pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Tips for Success
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing
• Do not overmix the batter
• Weigh batter for even layers
• Cool completely before frosting
Serving Suggestions
• Frost with vanilla buttercream or whipped cream
• Add berries between layers
• Dust with powdered sugar
• Serve with vanilla ice cream
Storage Tips
• Room temperature: airtight container for 3 days
• Fridge: wrap tightly and keep for up to 7 days
• Freezer: wrap and freeze up to 3 months
Variations
• Add lemon zest for a citrus kick
• Use almond extract for a nutty flavor
• Swirl in berry puree
• Try a marble effect with cocoa batter
FAQs
Can I use cake flour?
Yes. Use 2 ¼ cups cake flour for a softer texture.
What can replace butter?
Vegetable oil or applesauce. Oil makes it moist, applesauce reduces fat.
Why did my cake crack?
Oven might be too hot or batter was overmixed.
Vanilla Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, mix the softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.